CHAPTER II.
When the younger of the two men stepped into the street he carried in his arms a little girl wrapped in a faded red shawl, to whom he was speaking encouragingly, in tones loud enough for any passer-by to hear: "I know the little countess will be able to find her mama's palace; for there is a fountain in front of it in which there is a stone man with a three-pronged fork, and a stone lady with a fish-tail! Oh, yes; we shall be sure to find it; and very soon we shall be with mama." Here the child in his arms began to sob bitterly.
"For heaven's sake, do not weep; do not let your voice be heard," whispered the young man in her ear.
At this moment a man wearing a coarse blouse, with his cap drawn over his eyes and a short pipe between his lips, came staggering toward them.
The young man, in order to make room for him, pressed close to the wall, whereupon the new-comer, who seemed intoxicated, began in drunken tones: "Hello, citizen! What do you mean?
Do you want me to walk in the gutter ?--because you have got on fine boots, and I have only wooden sabots! I am a citizen like yourself, and as good as you.

We are alike, are n't we ?" The young man now knew with whom he had to deal--a police spy whose duty it was to watch him.

He therefore replied quietly: "No, we are not alike, citizen; for I have in my arms an unfortunate child who has strayed from its mother.

Every Frenchman respects a child and misfortune.

Is not that so, citizen ?" "Yes, that is so, citizen.